"By allocating food to bees, we aim to alleviate the financial burden on producers, promote the continued production of excellent honey, and encourage the rejuvenation of the sector by attracting new entrepreneurs, especially young ones," explained the mayor, Marco Almeida.

This is considered a highly important sector for the municipality, where, based on records from September 2023, there are 2,238 bee colonies, "responsible for the production of several tons of superior-quality honey, recognised by national entities and sought after by consumers throughout the country."

Beekeepers have faced challenges related to complying with health requirements and the economic impact caused by threats such as the velutina wasp.

According to the municipality, these grants "take the form of in-kind payments, amounting to seven or five euros per colony, with the highest amount awarded to those with tax residency in the municipality."

With these grants, the city aims to "stimulate local development, help retain young people, promote local products, and strengthen the rural economy, consequently improving the living conditions of those living in the area."

"This is a low-cost investment, given the collective benefits it will generate, especially in preserving the ecosystem and boosting the local economy," emphasised Marco Almeida.

Applications will be open until the end of the month and must be submitted to the municipality's Agricultural Support Department.